TEDxDetroit: Optimism & Inspiration
Monday, October 19, 2009 at 11:23PM | Becks Davis So, I’m going to this conference on Wednesday and I’m so excited that I have to tell you all about it. The conference is TEDxDetroit and its purpose is to share positive ideas for the world from Detroit. TEDxDetroit is an independent TED event spun off the annual TED conference.
From the TED website:
TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design.
Why am I looking forward to it?
I’m excited to meet other optimistic people. And I’m quite sure all of these people, the presenters and the other attendees, are going to be a whole lot smarter than me. I’m talking wicked smart.
These people are innovators, entrepreneurs, and big thinkers.
I know what you’re thinking, why the heck did they let me in? I’m not sure; maybe it’s an oversight. Maybe they felt bad for me and didn’t want to exclude me. Or maybe, just maybe, all of us can help change the world for the better by doing our small part.
I’m hoping to be inspired. I’m hoping to learn. I’m hoping to become a positive influence in Detroit and make a difference.
I’ll report back and tell you about my TEDxDetroit experience. I mean, its tagline is "Ideas Worth Spreading." Providing they don’t realize their mistake and turn me away at the door.
Oh, and a big shout-out to the producers of TEDxDetroit: Charlie Wollborg of Curve Detroit, Derek Mehraban of Ingenex, Catherine Juon of Pure Visibility, Jennifer Wright of Looking Glass Lane and Terry Bean of Networked Inc. Thank you for putting this event together!
You can watch previous TED presenters inspiring, funny, and courageous videos on the TED website. And, after TEDxDetroit, those videos will be available too.
This presentation by Dave Eggers is one of my favorite TED videos. I first came across Dave Eggers years ago when I almost bought, on many occasions, his book A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. I think it was too staggering for me at the time.
I then bought Eggers’ book You Shall Know Our Velocity, but I haven’t read it yet. I know, I’m pathetic. I have, however, read his short story After I Was Thrown in the River and Before I Drowned. It is told through the first-person perspective of a dog and is one of my favorite short stories. Ever. Seriously, you have to read this story.
Watch the video, the idea is brilliant! I think an organization like 826 Valencia would be a perfect fit in Detroit and fulfill a great need.
If Detroit had an organization like this, what would the store sell? Pirate gear and Superhero supplies are already taken.
Reader Comments (4)
Great post, I am looking forward to TedxDetroit, thanks for starting the party a day early! Tomorrow should be a day full of creativity and collaboration, look forward to seeing you there.
i found out about it too late. i wanted to go. hoping to go to the meet up for it tonight. and...the next tedxdetroit...
great post. can't wait to see tweets and hear what this is about!!
Did you know there is a 826 Michigan in AnnArbor? Their front company is the Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair Shop. I buy all of my Positronic Brains and Grasping Appendages there.
http://www.826michigan.org
Every one one of their store concepts is a winner:
http://www.826national.org/stores/
Mandi,
I hope to meet you tomorrow! Very much looking forward to TEDxDetroit.
Melissa,
Stop by the after-party tomorrow at Fishbones. Otherwise, I hear there may be another TEDxDetroit on the horizon. Oh, and we need to get together anyway!
Charlie,
I had no idea there was an 826 Michigan! Thanks for the heads up. I'm so excited to find out about it. Yep, I'll be following up on it here, stay tuned.
A robot & repair shop fits for Ann Arbor, But what about Detroit? What storefront would fit here?